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The Middle East Exchange

56 commentaries

In the face of regional turmoil, exacerbated by the rise of the Islamic State, many Arab governments are embracing a new solution-oriented agenda – focused on economic diversification, improved education systems, and private-sector-led growth – to stimulate reform and development. In “The Middle East Exchange” Project Syndicate, in partnership with Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, provides a unique global platform to help frame and stimulate regional and global debate on the vital development issues shaping Arab societies.

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  1. Ending Religious Violence in the Middle East
    Sharia law, refugee camp in Pakistan Veronique de Viguerie/Getty Images

    Ending Religious Violence in the Middle East

    Dec 8, 2016 Moha Ennaji argues that the problem is not Islam, but inadequate social and economic policies.

  2. Training for Gender Equality
    Female dentist students Kaveh Kazemi/Getty Images

    Training for Gender Equality

    Dec 1, 2016 Arib Ali Al-Mandhari recommends strategies for empowering women to play a more active role in Middle Eastern societies.

  3. Egypt and Tunisia’s Divergent Paths
    4th anniversary of Egypt Revolution Anadolu Agency/Getty Images

    Egypt and Tunisia’s Divergent Paths

    Nov 22, 2016 Ishac Diwan explores how each country's political system will determine its future economic prospects.

  4. An Economic Ultimatum for the Arab World
    5 year anniversary of Arab Spring Fethi Belaid/Getty Images

    An Economic Ultimatum for the Arab World

    Nov 16, 2016 Marwan Muasher says that unless Arab countries move away from rentierism, they risk another wave of uprisings.

  5. The Secret of Dubai’s Success
    Dubai Skyline Andrew Holbrooke/Getty Images

    The Secret of Dubai’s Success

    Nov 11, 2016 Yasser Al-Saleh explains how a city-state with limited resources became a global economic and cultural hub.

  6. Can Lebanon Escape the Resource Curse?
    Beruit Skyline Anwar Amro/Getty Images

    Can Lebanon Escape the Resource Curse?

    Nov 3, 2016 Nasser Saidi says the country could transform itself with oil and gas production if it adopts key reforms now.

Our Pick

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    Revisiting the Behavioral Revolution in Economics

    Antara Haldar assesses the legacy of the intellectual challenge to the view that rational self-interest guides our actions.
  2. varoufakis104_Andrew LichtensteinCorbis via Getty Images_amazonunion Andrew Lichtenstein/Corbis via Getty Images
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    New AI Germ Busters Can Also Bust Unions

    Yanis Varoufakis shows how an AI-driven biomedical breakthrough could rob workers of what little power they have left.
  3. james206_anilakkusGetty Images_globalization anilakkus/Getty Images
    1

    Globalization’s Warring Narratives

    Harold James examines the analytical disagreements that are hampering management of an unavoidable phenomenon.
  4. op_nagymohacsi2_Namthip MuanthongthaeGetty Images_CBDC Namthip Muanthongthae/Getty Images
    1

    The Digital Economy’s New Monetary Imperative

    Piroska Nagy Mohácsi

    In a rapidly digitalizing world, central banks are staring down a future in which they may lack the tools necessary to manage crises, and in which they may no longer be able to protect their monetary sovereignty. They should recognize that digital currency is a source of institutional salvation.

     thinks governments must embrace central bank digital currencies or risk a fundamental loss of control.
  5. pisaniferry145_ Thierry MonasseGetty Images_eu green deal Thierry Monasse/Getty Images
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    Europe’s Climate Quandary

    Jean Pisani-Ferry assesses the inevitable trade-offs the European Union must confront in achieving its clean-energy targets.
  6. basu92_Win McNameeGetty Images_samaltmanopenaisenate Win McNamee/Getty Images
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    Governing the Unknown

    Kaushik Basu suggests a few principles to guide policymakers as they try to keep up with rapidly advancing technologies.
  7. oyebanji2_ PIUS UTOMI EKPEIAFP via Getty Images_lassa fever PIUS UTOMI EKPEI/AFP via Getty Images
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    Fast-Tracking a Lassa Fever Vaccine

    Oyeronke Oyebanji outlines what West African governments can learn from the development and distribution of the COVID-19 jab.
  8. schleussner1_David McNewGetty Images_heatwave David McNew/Getty Images
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    Climate Science Beats Climate Fatalism

    Carl-Friedrich Schleussner, et al. show that the more ambitious 1.5º target for global warming is still feasible – and more necessary than ever.
  9. benami202_Burak KaraGetty Images_erdogan Burak Kara/Getty Images
    2

    Turkey’s Pragmatic Islamist

    Shlomo Ben-Ami expects Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s latest electoral victory to have little impact on Turkish foreign policy.

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